Connecting Rural Communities

www.ConnectingCommunities.info

Connected Communities Have:

Access & Infrastructure

Applications & Education Community

Content

Connected Communities Have

Broadband Infrastructure

People in Connected Communities Know

How to Use the Internet

• Main street business

• Web generates ½ it’s sales

• Web established the business as a tourist destination

People in Connected Communities Create Content to Share on

the Internet

•Photoblogs

• Classified Ads

• Online Auctions

• Community Information

• Games

• Forums

• County History

• Image Gallery

West Virginia Broadband

•Braxton County, WV

•Volunteer organization

•Start-up with $10,000

•Minimal maintenance costs

Source: National Public Radio, NPR.org

Question: Is there a connected community

in your “neck of the woods”?

How Does a Community Get

Connected?

www.ConnectingCommunities.info

Steps to Becoming Connected

1. Team

2. Learn

3. Assess

4. Design

5. Plan

6. Do

7. Tell

Broadband Flavors

Wired:

• Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL)

• Cable Modem

• Leased Lines (T1)

• Fiber Optic Cable

• Broadband Over Powerline (BPL)

Wireless:

• Satellite

• Fixed Wireless

• Wi-Fi

• WiMAX

Explore the Website

www.ConnectingCommunities.info

• Find an assessment tool or checklist.

• Who should be at the leadership table?

Role of Extension and Community Members

inspiration

education

convocation

delegation

Scenario Instructions

• Break into 4 groups (leadership teams)• Choose a role tag for yourself• Determine the projects and a plan that will help

“connect your community” in the scenario.

Resources you can use:• Checklist• Project Action Plan• Website: ConnectingCommunities.info• The talent in your group.

You have 30 minutes. Good luck.

Connecting Rural Communities

For More Info…

www.ConnectingCommunities.info

Southern Rural Development Center